More than 250 Champagnes on offer at UK’s first Champagne boutique bar.
PORTFOLIO MCR brings together over 250 Champagnes, rare grower bottles, vintage prestige cuvées and an ‘immersive’ wine experience.
It is a new concept from Julian Pizer, formerly of restaurants Another Hand and Edinburgh Castle, and Cameron Foster, founder of Deux Six, who specialises in providing exclusive grower Champagnes to the UK trade.
The venue on Bridge Street, Manchester, aims to strip away the “snobbery” and make Champagne “accessible, exciting and suitable for every occasion.”
The collection houses one of the largest and most diverse Champagne collections in the UK, featuring Champagnes from more than 70 producers, with a focus on the region’s best independent growers, exclusive imports and specially selective big Champagne houses.
Around10 Champagnes will be available by the glass, with top class grower Champagne starting from £12.50.
As well as well-known names, guests will be able to enjoy rare and highly sought after cuvées, including Jacques Selosse, Ulysse Collin, Jérôme Prévost, Cédric Bouchard, Larmandier Bernier and Egly Ouriet.
There will also be vintage prestige cuvées from Cristal, Philipponnat, Pommery, Jacquesson, Pierre Peters and Bollinger, some dating back to the 1990s.
Wayne Baxendale will be joining as Food and Beverage Director, bringing with him over 30 years of global wine experience from Michelin starred restaurants to worldwide cruise ships and international hospitality operations.
Nikolai Kuklenko, the former head sommelier at Mana, takes up the role of general manager.
The space is designed as a fully immersive Champagne environment, featuring a striking Champagne wall of 100 bottles, all available for browsing and takeaway, and a wall adorned with photos from the team’s trips to Champagne.
Champagne will be served in exclusive Lehmann glassware imported from Reims, with over 10 different glass styles and a strict no flutes policy.
It will also feature an open chef’s pass and sommelier station and bar seating, whilst a working Champagne cellar will act as a private dining room, created for rare tastings, winemaker dinners and private dining.
Bar food will include the best Welsh charcuterie, and British cheeses, taking inspiration from Pizer’s time at 3 Hands Deli. The menu will continue to evolve, influenced by Another Hand.
Portfolio MCR co-founder Cameron Foster said: “We want to strip back the snobbery of Champagne and make it a wine for everyone, whether that’s a quick glass after work, a special celebration, or discovering grower champagne for the first time.”
Portfolio MCR will open on 9 December at 67 Bridge Street, Manchester, with the full restaurant experience launching in February 2026.
Follow them on instagram @portfolio.mcr
